Lakeshore Towers
Gainesville, Florida
The Problem:
Rehabilitating this Gainesville legacy building to it’s former glory, with upgraded aesthetics and modern comfort systems within a tight budget and timeline.
Due to number of existing deficiencies and upgrades triggered by new Codes since the original building’s construction, our goal was to provide MEP systems that required no net increase to building electrical demand so that the existing otherwise functional infrastructure could be reused without costly upgrades. By upgrading the existing appliances to new higher efficiency models, replacing the electric water heaters with new heat pumps that provide space cooling while also reducing the required power input, converting all lighting to LED, and upgrading the central exhaust systems, the new power needed for the individual unit Mini-split HVAC was able to be supplied from the existing panels and within the existing service infrastructure. This allowed the available budget to prioritize the most important needs including adding a full-building fire sprinkler system, providing a new modernized fire alarm system and significantly upgrading building finishes and aesthetics for future tenants.
Our Solution:
As we do with any project, but even more when working for a developer whose ROI and profitability on a project like this depends completely on timeline and adherence to a fixed budget, we approach our design collaboratively and with the humility that seeks input from all stakeholders. By listening to the Owner’s contractor on the project, we were able to get suggestions on appliance models and the heat pump water heater used in the final design to facilitate the needed electrical power reductions. These were products we hadn’t used before, but by seeking that input were able to utilize to meet our needs and keep the project on budget.
